Calhoun County, South Carolina Genealogy
Guide to Calhoun County, South Carolina ancestry, genealogy and family history, birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, and military records.
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County Information
Description
The county is named for John C. Calhoun, the former U.S. Vice-President, Senator, Representative and cabinet member from South Carolina. The county is located in the center area of the state.[3]
County Courthouse
Calhoun County Courthouse
102 Courthouse Drive
St Matthews, SC 29135-1452
Telephone: 803-874-2435
Calhoun County Website
County Pronunciation
Hear it spoken.[4]
Calhoun County, South Carolina Record Dates
| Birth* | Marriage | Death* | Court | Land | Probate | Census |
| 1915 | 1911 | 1915 | 1908 | 1908 | 1908 | 1790 |
Record Loss
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There is no known history of courthouse disasters in this county. |
Boundary Changes
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Populated Places
For a complete list of populated places, including small neighborhoods and suburbs, visit HomeTown Locator. The following are the most historically and genealogically relevant populated places in this county:[8]
| Towns | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
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History Timeline
The county is named after John C. Calhoun, who served as Vice President of the United States under both John Quincy Adams and Andrew Jackson as well as secretary of state and of war and senator." [9] Amelia Township, an original eighteenth-century settlement and part of the Royal Period of South Carolina, was situated in what is now Calhoun County. Learn more about the history of Calhoun County from the South Carolina State Library or from Carolana.com.
Resources
Bible Records
Biographies
Business, Commerce, and Occupations
Cemeteries
- To view a cemetery list, see Calhoun County, South Carolina Cemeteries.
- National Cemetery Administration
Census Records
For all existing and online Federal population schedules of South Carolina, see South Carolina Census. See also USGenWeb Census Project, South Carolina, including links to transcribed files.
- 1829-1920 South Carolina, State and Territorial Censuses, 1829-1920 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index & Images
Federal
| Historical populations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± |
| 1910 | 16,634 | — |
| 1920 | 18,384 | 10.5% |
| 1930 | 16,707 | −9.1% |
| 1940 | 16,229 | −2.9% |
| 1950 | 14,753 | −9.1% |
| 1960 | 12,256 | −16.9% |
| 1970 | 10,780 | −12.0% |
| 1980 | 12,206 | 13.2% |
| 1990 | 12,763 | 4.6% |
| 2000 | 15,185 | 19.0% |
| 2010 | 15,175 | −0.1% |
| Source: "Wikipedia.org". | ||
- 1910, 1920, and 1930 federal population schedules of Calhoun County are available online. For tips on accessing census records online, see South Carolina Census. If you're having trouble finding your ancestors in online indexes, try checking printed indexes. Created by local experts familiar with the area's families, these indexes are often transcribed more accurately than online nationwide indexes.
- See South Carolina Population Schedule Indexes: Fiche, Film, or Book for more information about statewide printed indexes.
Church Records
Calhoun County Churches identifies dozens of churches in the area, courtesy: South Carolina Genealogical Society.
List of Churches and Church Parishes
Court Records
Online Court Indexes and Records
- Dates Vary Calhoun County, Eighth Judicial Circuit Court Public Index – index; courts include Circuit Court, Summary Court and Masters-in-Equity, records added periodically
Directories
- 1970-2024 United States, Residence Database, 1970-2024 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index, coverage may vary
Emigration and Immigration
Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups
African Americans
United States African Americans 
South Carolina African Americans
Known plantations, South Carolina Plantations
Funeral Homes
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Genealogies
General
Surname indexes to Leonardo Andrea's Files | Folders | Resources are available online, courtesy: The Andrea Files: South Carolina Genealogical Research. Learn more.
Bibliography
- Caver - Caver, Larry Eugene. The Caver Family of North America. Birmingham, Ala.: Caver Press, 1990. FS Library Book 929.273 C315cL.
- Felder - Felder, Rice A. and Feller Publishing Fund. Descendants of James Addison Felder and Flavilla Shuler of Orangeburg County, South Carolina. Columbia, S.C.: Felder Publishing Fund, 1980. FS Library Book 929.273 F332f.
- King - King, Kermitt Sifley. The Kings of Calhoun County, Amelia Township. Columbia, S.C.: K.S. King, 1992. FS Library Book 929.273 K58kin.
- Snelgrove - Snelgrove, Price Charles. Freeman Snelgrove and Some of His Descendants. Alford, Fla.: P.C. Snelgrove, 1993. FS Library Book 929.273 Sn27sp.
- Wise - Bauer, William Rudolph. Reconstruction of the Genealogy of the Wise Family of the Congarees. Columbia, S.C.: W.R. Bauer, 2001. FS Catalog 929.273 W754b
Guardianship
Land and Property Records
Because South Carolina was an agricultural state, many residents owned land. For earliest records, search 1) Charleston District, 2) your ancestor’s residential district, 3) neighboring districts, 4) the residential county, 5) neighboring counties. Not all districts and counties kept records. See also South Carolina Land and Property.
Online Land Indexes and Records
The following chart shows where you may best expect to find land records.
cellpadding="5" border="1" align="center" style="width: 350px; height: 197px;"
|+ Tracing Land Currently in Calhoun County with Parent Counties and Districts [10] |- | width="16%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#ffffcc" align="center" | Date | width="52%" valign="middle" bgcolor="#ffffcc" align="center" | Government Office |- | 1908-Present | nowrap="nowrap" | Calhoun County |- | 1868-1908 | Orangeburg County |- | 1839-1908 | Lexington County |- | 1865-1868 | Orangeburg District |- | 1785-1865 | Orangeburg District Records Lost* |- | 1785-1839 | Records Lost* ** |- | 1710-1785 | Charleston District |- | 1670-1710 | Proprietary Land Grants |}
- Some Orangeburg District deeds were recorded in Charleston District and were not destroyed
** Orangeburg District, Lexington District, Orangeburg County, and Lewisburg County records destroyed by fire in 1865. Only Lexington County deeds after 1839 survive.
- Plats For State Land Grants 1784-1868 For information about the State Land Grants, see State Land Grants
- Full-Text Search - Land Records at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; How to Search
Local Histories
- Linder, Suzanne Cameron. Historical Atlas of the Rice Plantations of the ACE River Basin, 1860 (Columbia, South Carolina: S.C. Dept. of Archives and History, c1995 ), 684 pages. The plantations were in Beaufort, Colleton & Charleston counties. WorldCat 34264321, FS Library 975.79 R2L
Maps and Gazetteers
for more resources
- FamilySearch Places: Map of cities and towns in this county - How to Use FS Places
Migration
Early migration routes to and from Calhoun County for European settlers included: [11]
Military Records
Civil War
- 1861-1865 South Carolina Civil War Service Records of Confederate Soldiers, 1861-1865 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index & Images
- 1861-1865 U.S., Confederate Soldiers Compiled Service Records, 1861-1865 at Ancestry — index (free)
- 1861-1865 U.S., Union Soldiers Compiled Service Records, 1861-1865 at Ancestry — index (free)
Regiments Calhoun County did not exist during the Civil War. It was created in 1908 from Lexington and Orangeburg Counties. During the Civil War, men from the area of Calhoun County mostly would have served in various regiments recruited in those counties. Counties were called districts during the Civil War. The following regiment apparently had men from the area of present day Calhoun County:
- - 1st Regiment, South Carolina Infantry (Butler's) (1st Regulars), Company A (also called Company B and Beauregard Artillery)
- - 20th Regiment, South Carolina Infantry
Naturalization and Citizenship
Newspapers
- 1800s-1999 Newspapers.com Marriage Index, 1800s-1999 at Ancestry ($)
- 1800s-Current South Carolina, U.S., Newspapers.com™ Stories and Events Index, 1800's-Current at Ancestry — index & images ($)
Historic
The Library of Congress has identified the following historic newspapers for Calhoun County, South Carolina on their Chronicling America website. For publication details, including dates of publication, frequency, preceding and succeeding titles, and to find out which libraries have holdings, click on the newspaper title.
- Calhoun Advance (St. Matthews, S.C.) 1908-1920.
- Historical Newspapers of South Carolina at University of South Carolina Libraries - not complete
- St. Matthews Recorder (St. Matthews, S.C.) 1903-1906.
- The Calhoun Times (Saint Matthews, S.C.) 1922-current.
- The Carolinian (St. Matthews, S.C.) 1920-1922.
- The Commercial Advance (St. Matthews, S.C.) 1906-1908.
- The St. Matthews Herald (St. Matthews, S.C.) 1890-1897.
- The St. Matthews Record (St. Matthews, S.C.) 1914-1915.
Obituaries
Other Records
Periodicals
Tap into the minds of local experts. Editors of genealogical periodicals publish unique sources that researchers new to their area may not encounter. Periodicals at various levels (county, region, and state) may carry articles useful to research in this area. For more information and links, see South Carolina Periodicals.
See: Periodicals for description.
- South Carolina Magazine of Ancestral Research
Probate Records
Various types of records are created throughout the probate process of settling estates and property, usually after death. These may include, wills, bonds, petitions, accounts, inventories, administrations, orders, decrees, and distributions. For further information see probate records in South Carolina Probate Records.
Online Probate Indexes and Records
- 1670-1980 South Carolina Wills and Probate Records 1670-1980 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- 1671-1977 South Carolina Probate Records, Bound Volumes, 1671-1977 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Images Only
- 1732-1964 South Carolina Probate Records, Files and Loose Papers, 1732-1964 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Images Only
- 1782-1866 South Carolina, Will Transcripts 1782-1866 at Findmypast — index ($) — $, index
- 1940s-Current South Carolina Probate Index, Calhoun County at SouthCarolinaProbate.net - index; records added periodically
- Full-Text Search - Wills and Probate Records at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; How to Search
School Records
Social Security Records
- 1935-2014 United States Social Security Death Index at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index. Also at Ancestry, findmypast, Fold3, GenealogyBank, MyHeritage, and Steve Morse. Click here for more information.
- 1936-2007 U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007
- 1936-2007 United States, Social Security Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT), 1936-2007 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index
Tax Records
Tax-related records are kept by the offices of the county Assessor, Auditor, Sheriff, and Treasurer. Taxes were levied on real and personal property and can help establish ages, residences, and relationships. See South Carolina Taxation for online resources and suggestions.
Online Tax Indexes and Records
- South Carolina Department of Archives and History tax lists for Calhoun County.
Published abstracts
- 1818 St. Matthews Tax List, 1818, South Carolina Magazine of Ancestral Research, Vol. 1, No. 3 (Summer 1973); Vol. 1, No. 4 (Fall 1973).
Vital Records
Birth, marriage, and death records were not recorded by South Carolina until the 1900s, thus leaving a lack of vital records created by Civil authorities. See South Carolina Vital Records for online resources and suggestions.
Birth
State-wide birth registration did not begin until 1915. For records after 1915, see the South Carolina Vital Records page.
- 1766-1900 South Carolina, Delayed Birth Certificates, 1766-1900 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index & Images
- 1915-1917 South Carolina, U.S., Births, 1915-1917 at Ancestry - index & images ($)
Marriage
In South Carolina, Probate Courts issued and still keep marriage licenses from 1 July 1911 to the present. Licenses were not required before 1911. In the 1700s, the Church of England parish churches were required to record all marriages - even if the couple were not members of the denomination. Statewide registration of marriages started in July, 1950. See South Carolina Vital Records for indexes and more information.
The Calhoun County probate court holds marriage licenses issued from 1 July 1911 to the present. Statewide registration of marriages began in July 1950 and the South Carolina Division of Vital Records has copies of licenses issued after 1 July 1950 through November 2009.
Newspapers are used as a substitute to locate marriage information. See South Carolina Newspapers.
Marriages - Indexes and images
- 1911-1972 Calhoun County, South Carolina Marriage Register, 1911-1972 [12] FS Library film 2317644 - index
- 1911-1950 - Calhoun County, South Carolina Marriage Licenses, ca. 1911-1950 [13] FS Library films - records
- There are several online marriage indexes containing miscellaneous marriage records found in some counties of South Carolina listed on the South Carolina Vital Records page.
- 1990s-Current South Carolina Marriage Index, Calhoun County at SouthCarolinaProbate.net - index; records added periodically
Death
State-wide death registration began in 1915. For information and online records, see the South Carolina Vital Records page.
Deaths - Indexes and Records
- 1816-1990 South Carolina Deaths and Burials, 1816-1990 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index
- 1821-1969 South Carolina, U.S., Death Records, 1821-1969 at Ancestry - index & images ($)
- 1915-1943 South Carolina, Deaths, 1915-1943 at MyHeritage - index & images ($)
- 1915-1965 South Carolina Deaths, 1915-1965 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index & Images
- State-wide South Carolina Death Indexes. There are several online death indexes covering all of South Carolina listed on the South Carolina Vital Records page.
Divorce
Research Facilities
Archives
Listed below are archives in Calhoun County. For state-wide library facilities, see South Carolina Archives and Libraries.
FamilySearch Centers
FamilySearch Center and Affiliate Library Locator map - search for local FamilySearch Centers or Affiliate Libraries
- FamilySearch Centers provide one-on-one assistance, free access to center-only databases, and to premium genealogical websites.
- FamilySearch Affiliate Libraries have access to most center-only databases, but may not always have full services normally provided by a FamilySearch center.
Local Centers and Affiliate Libraries
- Columbia South Carolina FamilySearch Center]
- Lexington South Carolina FamilySearch Center
- Sumter South Carolina FamilySearch Center]
- West Columbia South Carolina FamilySearch Center
- Richland County Public Library - an affiliate library
Libraries
Listed below are libraries in Calhoun County. For state-wide library facilities, see South Carolina Archives and Libraries.
- Calhoun County Library
900 FR Huff Dr,
St. Matthews, SC 29135
877-887-5588 - Toll Free; 803-874-3389
Website
Museums
This museum is county-run rather than by a society.
- Calhoun County Museum
Address:
313 Butler Street
St. Matthews, SC 29135
Telephone: (803) 874 - 3964
Hours of Operation: Tuesday to Friday - 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.
The Archive:
The genealogy materials are housed in the museum's archive. Among other materials, there are African American books; cemetery books; Church books, county books; court record books; Jewish history; marriage, death and will books, native American books, South Carolina Civil War, and more. Categories and titles of the Archive's holdings are available at "The Archive" link above.
They will assist with any genealogical or historical research, but please call ahead to set up an appointmentWebsite
Societies
Listed below are societies in Calhoun County. For state-wide genealogical societies, see South Carolina Societies.
Websites
- Calhoun County, SCGenWeb
- Calhoun County, South Carolina Genealogy and Family History (Linkpendium)
- FamilySearch Catalog – The FamilySearch catalog contains descriptions and access information for all genealogical materials (including books, online materials, microfilm, microfiche, and publications) in their collection. Use Historical Records to search for specific individuals in genealogical records.
Research Guides
- South Carolina Archives Summary Guide: Calhoun County, available online, courtesy: South Carolina Department of Archives and History.
References
- ↑ Calhoun County, South Carolina Historical Boundary Changes - list of all boundary changes by county provided by Newberry Library; accessed 12/8/2021
- ↑ Calhoun County, South Carolina Historical Boundary Changes - list of all boundary changes by county provided by Newberry Library; accessed 12/8/2021
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Calhoun County, South Carolina" in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calhoun_County,_South_Carolina. accessed on the 3/27/2019
- ↑ Voice of Phillip Stalvey, resident of Myrtle Beach, S.C. (2011).
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Calhoun County, South Carolina. Page 611-615 At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002; Alice Eichholz, ed. Ancestry’s Red Book: American State, County, and Town Sources, Third ed. (Provo, Utah: Ancestry, 2004), 607-608.
- ↑ Calhoun County, South Carolina Historical Boundary Changes - list of all boundary changes by county provided by Newberry Library; accessed 12/8/2021
- ↑ South Carolina Historical Boundary Changes - list of all boundary changes by county provided by Newberry Library; accessed on 23 November 2021.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Calhoun County, South Carolina," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calhoun_County,_South_Carolina, accessed 21 December 2019.
- ↑ "Calhoun County" (http://www.carolana.com/SC/Counties/calhoun_county_sc.html : accessed 15 April 2011).
- ↑ Schweitzer, George K. , South Carolina Genealogical Research (Knoxville, Tennessee: s.p. 1985), 39-42, FS Catalog book 975.7 D27s
- ↑ WorldCat 50140092, FS Library Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed.] (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), and William E. Myer, Indian Trails of the Southeast. (Nashville, Tenn.: Blue and Gray Press, 1971), 12-14, and the book's pocket map "The Trail System of the Southeastern United States in the Early Colonial Period" (1923). WorldCat 1523234, (FS Library Book 970.1 M992i)
- ↑ Calhoun County, South Carolina Marriage Registers, 1911-1972, Salt Lake City, UT: Filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, 2002.
- ↑ South Carolina, Probate Court, Calhoun County, Calhoun County, South Carolina Marriage Licenses, ca. 1911-1950, Salt Lake City, UT: Filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, 2001.